The vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman, together with Vita de Dowel, Dobet, et Dobest, secundum Wit et Resoun, by William Langland (about 1362-1393 A. D.)

PASSUS VII.

[Title from T; also called P.Septimus in UD.] [Passus septimus de visione, vtprius.]

"ÞIs weore a wikked wei · bote hose hedde a gyde, Þat mihte folwen us vch a fote · forte þat we come þere." [

vch a] iche T; ech U. forte—come] til þat we were T; til we were U.

OBS. Collation with H here recom|mences.

] Quaþ perkyn þe plouȝmon · "bi peter þe Apostel, [peter] seint peter H; seint poule TU.] I haue an half Aker to herie · bi þe heiȝe weye; [herie] ere H; erie U; ern T. bi] by-side H.] Line 4 Weore he wel I-Eried · þenne with ou wolde I Wende, [Hadde y herd þat halfe akir · so me god helpe T;hadde y erid þat · þen wolde y wiþ ȝou wende H;Hadde eryed myn halue acre · I schal brynge ȝou þere U.] And wissen ou þe rihte weye · til ȝe founden treuþe." [U omits. wissen ou] teche ȝow H. founden treuþe] come þere H. T reads, I wolde wende wiþ ȝow · til ȝe were þere.] ¶ "Þat weore a long lettynge" · quaþ a ladi in a skleir, [þat] þis TU. in a skleir] in a scleire TU; wiþ a sleyre H.] "What schul we wimmen · worche þe while?" [schul] schulde T.] Line 8 "Summe schul souwe sakkes · for schedyng of Whete, [souwe sakkes] sewe þe sake TU. of] of þe THU.] And ȝe wyues þat habbeþ wolle · worcheþ hit faste, [ȝe] TU om. wolle] wollene T. worcheþ—faste] wurche it ȝe schulle U.] [Spynneth it spedily · spareþ noght ȝour fyngres], [From U; also in TH.] Bote ȝif hit beo haly day · or elles holy euen. [or elles] oþer T.] Line 12 Lokeþ forþ or Linnene · And labereþ þer-on faste. [or] ȝoure THU.] Þe Neodi and þe Nakede · nym ȝeeme hou þei liggen, [Þe Neodi] þer nedy ben U. þe] U om. nym ȝeeme] nymeþ hed T; nym hede U; takiþ kepe H. H trans|poses neodi and nakede.]

And cast on hem cloþes for colde · for so wolde treuþe; [And] THU om. on] TU om. wolde] wile T; wole HU.] For I schal lene hem lyflode · But ȝif þe lond fayle, [lene] fynde H.] Line 16 As longe as I liue · for vr lordes loue of heuene. [vr] our U; þe T. loue] U om.] ¶ And ȝe, loueli Ladies · with oure longe Fyngres, [oure longe] ȝour louely TU.] Þat habbeþ selk, and sendel · souweþ, whon tyme is, [souweþ] sewiþ it TU.] Chesybles for Chapeleyns · and Churches to honoure; [Chesybles] chesiples H. Chape|leyns] chapellis TU; churchis H. and] T om. Churches] chapels H.] And alle maner of Men · þat bi Mete liuen, [of] H om. bi] by þe HTU.] Line 21 Helpeþ him worche wihtliche · þat winneþ oure fode." [him] hem TU. worche] forþ H. oure] ȝoure THU.]

"BI Crist," quaþ a kniht þo · "þou [kennest] vs þe beste! [þo] U om. [kennest HU] techest V; techist T; the allit. re|quires kennest.] Saue o tyme trewely · þus tauht was I neuere! [Saue—tyme] but o tyme H; Ac on þe tem TU. þus] so H; TU om.] Line 24 Bote [kenne] me," quod þe kniht · "and I-chul conne erie; [H omits. [kenne TU] tech. V; see l. 23. Ichul—erie] I wile lerne to eren T; y wol lere to erye U.] [I wol helpe þee to labore · whil my lyf lastiþ."] [From H; in H only; perhaps redundant; see l. 29.] "Bi seint peter," quod Pers · "for þou profrest þe so lowe, [peter] poule TU. Pers] perkyn THU.] I schal swynken and sweten · and sowen for us boþe, [swynken—sweten] swete and swynke U.] And eke labre for þi loue · al my lyf tyme, [eke] U om. labre] labore H; laboure T; labouren U. Spelt labore in l. 117; but see U 221, 259.] Line 29 In Couenaunt þat þou kepe · Holi chirche and my-seluen [kepe] kepe wel U. and my|seluen] right And me (the two last words in next line) U; And myself (in next line) T.] From wastors and Wikkede men · þat Wolden vs destruyen. [wastors] watris (sic) U. and—men] T om. vs] me TU.] And go þou hunte hardily · to Hares and to Foxes, [þou] THU om. to—Foxes] þe hare & þe fox TU.] Line 32

Line 32 To Beores and to Bockes · þat brekeþ menne hegges, [To Beores] to beris H; And þe boris T; And to brokkys U. to Bockes] þe bukkes T; to bukkes U. menne] mennys H; myn TU.] And fecche þe hom Faucuns · þe Foules to quelle; [þe Foules] foules U. quelle] kille THU.] For þei comen in-to my croft · And Croppen my Whete.' [þei] þise TU. in-to] to TH. Croppen] crepen in H.] ¶ Ful Curteisliche þe kniht · conseiued þeose wordes; [Ful] THU om. conseiued] comsed H; compsiþ T. þeose] his U.] "Be my pouwer, pers · I plihte þe my trouþe Line 37 To folfulle þe Foreward · while þat I may stonde!" [folfulle] folewe H. þe] þis H; þat U. þat I] I T; my lyf H.] ¶ "But ȝit O poynt," quod pers · "I preye þe no more; [But—O] ȝe, ȝit a H; ȝa, & ȝet a T; And a U. pers] perkyn THU. no] sire H; TU om.] Loke þou teone no tenaunt · bote treuþe wol assente: [assente] Accorde U.] And ȝif pore men profreþ ou · presentes or ȝiftes, [ȝif] þei T; þeiȝe U. profreþ ou] profre þe TU; presentiþ þee H. presentes or] wiþ H.] Line 41 Takeþ hem not, in auenture · ȝe mouwen hem not de|seruen; [Takeþ] Nyme TU. in auenture] an aunter TU. ȝe mouwen] þou mowe TU; þou maist H.] For þou schalt ȝelden hit a-ȝeyn · at one ȝeeres ende, In a wel perilous place · þat Purgatorie hette. Line 44 And mis-beode þou not þi bonde-men · þe beter þou schalt spede, [þou] TU om. þou schalt] þou miȝt HU; shalt þou T.] And þat þi-self be trewe of tonge · and tales þou hate, [And—þiself] And þat þou TU; & H. of] of þy HU. and] H om.] Bote hit beo wisdam or wit · þi werkmen to chaste. [beo] be of TU. or] or of TU; & H. þi] H om. werkmen] wicked men H.] Hold not þou with harlotes · here not heore tales, [not—with] wiþ none TU. þou] H om. here] ne here TU] Line 48 And nomeliche atte Mete · suche Men eschuwe; [atte] at þe HU; at T. suche] for suche T (badly). Men] men þou U.] For þei ben þe deueles disours · I do þe [to] vndurstonde." [þei ben] it arn TU; it beþ H. [to THU] V om.] ¶ "Ich a-sente, be seint Iem!" · seide þe kniht þenne, [folio 399a:1] "For to worche bi þi word · while my lyf dureþ." [word] wordis H.]

¶ "And I schal A-paraile me," quod perkin · "In pil|grimes wyse, [me] U om. pilgrimes] pilgrym T; a palmerys H.] Line 53 And wende with ou þe rihte wei · til ȝe treuþe fynde." [wende] U om. ou—rihte] ȝow þe TU; þee on þe H. ȝe—fynde] ȝe fynde treuthe U; we fynde treuþe TH.] He caste on his cloþes · I-clouted and I-hole, [I-hole] hole TU. H reads, He cast on his cloutid cloþis & his olde cokeris.] His Cokeres and his Coffus · for Colde of his nayles, [His cokeres] H om. (see l. 55). coffus] coffis also H; cuffis T; cuffes U.] He heng an Hoper on his Bac · In stude of a Scrippe, [He] And T. an] his THU. on—bac] at his hals T; on his rugge H. stude] stede THU. a] his U.] A Busschel of Bred corn · he bringeþ þer-Inne: [busschel] boyschel H. he bringeþ] brouȝte he T; he brouȝte H; bryng me U.] Line 58 "For I wol souwen hit my-self · and seþþen with ou wende. [myself] my-self, quoþ he H. with ou] wile I THU.] For hose helpeþ me to heren · or eny þing to swynken, [For hose] And who-so THU. heren] eren T; erie HU. to] TU om.] He schal haue, beo vr lord · þe more huyre in heruest, [He] TU om. huyre] here T; mede U. in] at U.] And make him murie with þe Corn · hose hit euere bi|gruccheþ. [with—corn] þerwith U. euere] THU om.] And alle kunnes Craftus men · þat cunne lyuen with treuþe, [kunnes craftus] manere craftis H; kyne crafty TU. with] in THU.] Line 63 I schal fynden hem heore fode · þat Feiþfuliche lyuen; [heore] THU om. þat] H om. Feiþfuliche] skilfulliche U. lyuen] to lyuen H.] ¶ Saue Iacke þe Iogelour · And Ionete of þe stuyues, [Ionete] Ienot H. of] at U. stuyues] styves H; stywes U; stewis T.] And Robert þe Ribaudour · for his Rousti wordes. [Robert] Robyn TU.] Treuþe tauhte hit me ones · and bad me telle hit forther, [tauhte hit] tolde THU. me] me þus U. telle] teche H. forther] forþ T.] Deleantur de libro · [I ne shulde not dele wiþ hem,] [I have made this an allit. line, as it stands in T; V has only De|leantur de libro viuencium; H has the wholequotation Deleantur—scribantur, and omits 69, 70; U has deleantur de libro viuencium y schulde noght dele with hem; which is too long.] Line 68 Holi churche is holden of hem · no tiþe to taken; [H omits. Holi] For holy TU. tiþe] tiþes T. taken] asken T; axen U.]

Et cum Iustis non Scribantur;

Þei ben a-scaped good þrift · god hem amende!" [H omits. þrift] Auntir T; auntour U. god] now god T.]

Dame [werche]-whon-tyme-is · Hette Pers Wyf, [[werche THU] V om. Hette—wyf] piers wyf hatte THU.] His douhter hette do-riht-so- · or-þi-dame-wol-þe|bete, [so] T om. wol] shal TU.] Line 72 His sone hette Soffre-þi-souereyns- · for-to-han-heor|wille| [for to] to TU.] And-deeme-hem-not-for-ȝif-þou-do- · þou-schalt-hit-deore|abugge. [do] doist H; dost TU. deore abugge] dere abigge TH; sore abie U.] ["Let god worþe wiþ al · for so his woord techiþ;] [From T; also in HU. worþe] wurche U.] For nou Icham old and hor · and haue of myn owne, [nou] now HU; T om. Icham] I am THU. and hor] and hoor U; H om. haue] y-now haue H.] To Penaunce and to pilgrimage · I wol passe with þis oþure. [I wol] wile I T. þis] TU om.] For-þi I wole, ar I Wende · write my Testament. [Forþi] For U. ar] er TU; or H. write] do writen U; do wyte (sic) T. testament] bequest T; byquestes U.] In dei nomine, Amen · I make hit mi-seluen. [In—amen] In þe name of god H (which has here in margin, In dei no.).] He schal haue my soule · þat best haþ deseruet, [He] For he TU.] Line 80 And defende hit from þe fend · for so I beo-leeue, [I] is my U.] Til I come to myn A-Countes · as my Crede me telleþ, [myn] his THU. me telleþ] me techiþ TU; techiþ H.] To ha Reles and Remission · on þat Rental I be-leeue. [ha] haue THU. reles] a relese H. and] and a H. on] of H. I beleeue] I leue T; for euer H.] Þe Chirche schal haue my Careyne · And kepe mi Bones; [kepe] kepe þer H.] For of my Corn and Catel · heo Craueþ þe Tiþe. [corn—catel] catel & my corn H. heo craueþ] I crauide T. tiþe] tiþes TU. heo] I T; he HU.] Line 85 I Payede him prestly · for peril of my soule, [I payede] I haue paied H; It payd it U; And payede T. him] U om.]

He is holden, Ich hope · to haue me in Muynde, [in] in his U. muynde] mynde TU.] And munge me in his memorie · Among alle cristene. [munge] monewe T; mynwe H; menewe U.] Line 88 ¶ Mi wyf schal haue þat I won · with treuþe, and no more, [with treuþe] trewliche U.] And dele A-mong my Frendes · and my deore children. [Frendes] children H. deore children] frendis boþe H.] For þauh I dye þis day · my dettes beoþ I-quit; [dye—day] deiȝe to day TU; deied to day H. Iquit] quyt TH; yquytte U.] I Bar hom þat I Borwede · er I to bedde eode, [to—eode] went to bedde H. eode] ȝede TU.] Line 92 And with þe Residue and þe Remenaunt · by þe Rode of Chestre! [with þe] wiþ U. Remenaunt] remelaunt H.] I wol Worschupe þer-Wiþ · Treuþe in my lyue, [in] be U.] And ben his pilgrym atte plouȝ · for pore Mennes sake. [atte] at his U; at þe T.] Mi plouh-pote schal be my pyk · and posshen atte Rootes, [plouh-pote] plowbat H; plow U. pyk] pykstaf U; pilgrimstaf H. and—atte] & putte at þe T; picche vp þe U; to posse at þe H.] Line 96 And helpe my coltre to kerue · and close þe vorwes." [vorwes] forewis T; forwis H; furwes U.]

Now is Pers and þe pilgrimes to þe plouh I-fare; [and—pilgrimes] þe pilgryme H. Ifare] faren THU.] To heren þis half-Acre · helpen him ful monye. [heren] erien TU. þis] þe U; his H. ful] THU om.] Dykers and Deluers · Dikeden vp þe Balkes; [dikeden] dykeþ T; dyggen U; diȝten H. balkes] baukis H.] Line 100 Þer-with was perkyn a-payed · And preisede hem ȝerne. [hem] hem ful H.] Oþur werk-men þer weren · þat Wrouȝten ful monye, [þat] & T. monye] faste THU.] Vche Mon in his maner · Made him to done; [Vche] Eche TH; Euery U. in] on TU. him] hymself T.] And Summe, to plese perkyn · pykeden vp þe weodes. [vp] out U.] ¶ At heiȝ prime perkyn · lette þe plouȝ stonde, [At—prime] At hye prime of þe day U; An hast þen H. perkyn] piers U; peris T.] Line 105 While þat he ouer-seȝe him-self · ho þat best wrouhte; [While—ouerseȝe] To ouersen hem TU; to ouerse H.]

He schulde ben huyred þer-aftur · whon heruest tyme come. [He] þei H; TU om.] ¶ Þenne seten summe · And songen atte ale, [atte ale] at þe ale T; at þe nale HU.] Line 108 And holpen him to herien · wiþ "Hey! trolly-lolly!" [him] TU om. to herien] ere þe half akir T; to erye þe halue acre U. hey—lolly] dieu sa dame emme U.] ¶ "Now, be þe prince of paradys" · quaþ pers þo in wraþþe, [Now] TU om.] "Bote ȝe Rysen þe raþer · and Rape ȝow to worche, [þe] vp þe H.] Schal no greyn þat heer groweþ · gladen ow at neode, [heer] H om.] And þauh ȝe dyen for de-faute · þe deuel haue þat Recche!" [þauh] ȝif U. defaute] þe de|faut H; doel T; dool U. haue] hange U.] Line 113 ¶ Þenne weore þe faytors a-ferd · And feynede hem blynde, [þe] þer H; TU om. aferd] fele H. and] þat H.] And summe leiden þe legges a-liri · as suche losels cunne, [And] TU om. þe legges] here lege T; þe leg U. aliri] a lery TH; a lyry U. losels] lorellis T.] And playneden hem to pers · with suche pitouse wordes: [hem] U om.] "We haue no lymes to labore with · vr lord we hit þonken, [no lymes] none hondis T. vr] oure H. vr—þonken] lord, ygracid be ȝe T; lord, y-graced be þe U.] Line 117 Bote we preyeþ for ou, pers · and for oure plouh boþe, [ou] ȝow TU; þee · H. oure] ȝoure TU; þy H.] Þat God for his grace · oure greyn multiplye, [H omits. for] of T. oure] ȝoure TU.] And ȝelde ow for oure Almus · þat ȝe ȝiuen vs here! [H omits. for] of TU. oure] ȝoure TU. almus] almesse T; almes U.] Line 120 For we mowe nouþur swynke ne swete · such seknes vs eileþ." [nouþur] not T. swynke ne swete] swete ne swinke U. seknes] feblesse U.] ¶ "Ȝif hit beo soþ þat ȝe seyen," quod pers · "sone I schal a-spye! [soþ] so U. þat ȝe seyen] HU om. sone—schal] I shal it sone TU.] Ȝe beoþ wastors, I wot · and treuþe wot þe soþe! [wot] wot wel TU.]

Icham his holde hyne · and ouȝte him to warne [Icham] And I am TU. holde] olde TU. and] I U.] Line 124 Whuche wastors In world · his werk-Men distruyȝen. [Whuche] Suche TH; Whiche U. In] in þis TU; in þe H.] Ȝe eten þat þei schulden eten · þat [heren] for vs alle; [þei] I T. [heren] Such should be the reading; eren T; erien HU; V has swynken. See ll. 60, 99. vs] ȝow H.] Bote Treuþe schal techen ow · his Teeme for to dryue, Boþe to sowen and to setten · and sauen his tilþe, [to—setten] to setten & to sowen TH; setten & sowe U. tilþe] telþe TH.] Line 128 Gaste Crowen from his Corn · and kepen his Beestes, [Gaste crowen] Chase gees TU. from his] fro þe HU.] Or ȝe schulle ete Barly Bred · and of þe Brok drynke. [Brok] brod T (wrong).] Bote heo beo blynde or broke-schonket · or bedreden liggen, [folio 399a:2] [heo] he TU; ȝe H. broke|schonket—liggen] bedrede or ellis broke-shankid H.] Þei schul haue as good as I · so me god helpe, [þei—haue] þei shuln ete T; ȝe schul eten U; þen shulle ȝe haue H. good—I] I seie U.] Line 132 [Til god of his grace · gare [hem] to arise]. [In T is here an extra line, Til god of his grace · gare hym to arise; where hym should be hem.] ¶ Ancres and Hermytes · þat holdeþ hem in heore Celles Schulen habben of myn Almus · Al þe while I liue, [Al—while] while þat H.] I-nouh vche day at Non · but no more til a morwe, [but] & H. til a] til on þe T; til þe H; er U.] Line 136 Leste þe Fend and heore flesch · fouleden heore soules; [þe—flesch] his flessh & þe fend T; þe feend and his flesche U. foule|den—soules] foulide his soule T; fole|wen here soulis H; folewed togidre U.] Ones at Noon Is I-nouȝ · þat no werk ne vseþ, [ne] U om.] He abydeþ wel þe bet · þat Bommeþ not to ofte." [Bommeþ] ne bommeþ H.]

ÞEnne wastours gunne arise · and wolden han I-fouhte; [wastours gunne] gan þe was|tour T; gan wastour U; bygan was|tour to H.] To Pers þe plouh Mon · [one] profrede his gloue, [[one H] he TU; V has And.] A Brutiner, A Braggere · A-Bostede him Alse, [Brutiner] bretoner T; bry|toner UH. A-Bostede] he bostide T; bostide U. alse] also THU.] Line 142 And bad go pisse him with his plouh · pillede screwe! [bad] bade hym H. with] & H. pillede] olde pilede H. screwe] shrewe TH; schrewe U.]

"For we wolen habbe of þi Flour · wol þou so nulle þou, [

Wilt þou, nilt þou, we wile haue · oure wil of þis flour T;

Woltou, neltou, we wole haue · y-now of þy floure H;

Wil þou, nyl þou, we wol · haue of þi floure U.

] And of þi Flesch fecche · whon þat vs lykeþ, [of] T om. fecche] fecche awey TU; & þy fysch H. whon þat] whanne T; whan so U.] Line 145 [And make vs merye þerwiþ · maugre þi chekes!"] [From U; also in TH.] ¶ Þenne Pers plouh-mon · playnede him to þe kniht, To kepen him as Couenaunt was · from cursede schrewes, From wastors þat wayten · winners to schende. Line 149 Curteisliche þe kniht · as his kuynde wolde, [þe] þo þe H. kniht] kniȝt þanne TU.] Warnede wastors · and wissede hem do betere; [wastors] þe wastour T; wast|our U. wissede] bade H. hem] hym TU. do betere] betere TU; go werche H.] "Or ȝe schul a-bugge hit bi [þe] lawe · bi þe Ordre þat I bere!" [ȝe schul] þou shalt TU; þei shulde H. a-bugge hit] abigge TH; abye U. [þe THU] V om. ordre] lord (!) U. I bere] he bere H; I welde U.] Line 152 ¶ "I was not wont to worche," quod a wastour · "ȝit wol I not biginne!"— [a] THU om. ȝit] nowe TU.] And lette luytel of þe lawe · and lasse of þe kniht, [luytel] liȝt THU.] And countede pers at a peose · and his plouh boþe, [peose] pese TH. countede—peose] bad piers go pisse U.] And Manasede him and his men · whon þat þei next metten. [þat] THU om.] Line 156

"NOu be þe peril of my soule," quaþ Pers þe plouh-Mon, [þe plouhmon] I shall appeire ȝow alle THU.] I schal a-peiren ow alle · for oure proude wordes!" [THU omit; see l. above.] And hoped aftur hunger þo · þat herde him atte furste: [hoped] houpide T; howpide U; huntid H. þo] THU om.] "A-wrek me on þis wastors," quod pers · "þat þis world schendeþ!" [Awrek] Wreke UH. þis (1)] TH om. þis (2)] þe U. schendeþ] apeiriþ T.] Line 160 ¶ Hongur in haste · hente [wastor] bi þe mawe, [Hongur] & hunger U. haste] haste þanne T. [wastor] wastour THU; V has wastors.]

And wrong him so be þe wombe · þat boþe his eȝen watreden, [And—wombe] U om. boþe—watreden] al watride his eiȝen TU.] And Buffetede þe [brutiner] · aboute boþe his chekes; [[brutiner (see l. 142)] bre|toner TH; brytoner U; V has boye (by mistake); see l. 165. boþe his] þe TU.] He lokede lyk a Lanterne · al his lyf After. [He] þat he THU.] Line 164 He Beot so þe Boyes · he barst neih heore Ribbes, [He—boyes] He beet hem so boþe TH; And beet hym boþe U. he—neih] þat he brast ner T; and brak nere U. ribbes] mawis THU.] Nedde Pers wiþ a peose lof · I-preyed him to leue; [Nedde] Ne hadde HU; Nhadde T. wiþ] but T. I-preyed—leue] ypreied hem to lyue H; þei preyede hym beleue T; prayed hym by-lyue U.] And with a Benene Bat · I-bot hem by-twene, [benene bat] bene batte T; beny batte U. I-bot hem] he hadde TU; ȝede hem H.] Line 167 And hutte hongur þer-with · A-midde boþe his lippes, [hutte] hitte THU. þer-with] U om. boþe his] hise T; þe U.] And he bledde in-to þe Bodiward · a Bolleful of gruwel; [he—bodiward] bledde in-to þe bodyward TU; made hym blede inward H. gruwel] growel TU; gruel H.] Nedde þe Fisicien furst · defendet him water [Nedde] Ne hadde TU; Nadde H. furst] U om.] To Abate þe Barli bred · and þe Benes I-grounde, Þei hedden beo ded bi þis day · and doluen al warm.

ÞEnne Faytors for fere · flowen to Bernes, [þenne] THU om. fere] ferde þen H. to] into THU.] Line 173 And flapten on with fleiles · from morwe til euen, [flapten] flappid H; flappe U; flatte T. morwe] morne UH.] Þat Honger nas not hardi · vp for to loke, [nas] was TU. not] noght so U. vp for] on hem for T; on hem H; ones on hem U.] For A potful of peosun · þat pers hedde I-mad. [potful] potel THU. peosun] pesen H; pesyn U; pecis T. hedde I-mad] let make H.] Line 176 An Hep of Hermytes · henten heom spades, [An Hep] & an hepe H; In helpe T. heom] hem TU; here H.] And doluen drit and donge · to dutte honger oute. [dutte—oute] ditte out hunger TH; dryuen hungir out U.] ¶ Blynde and Bedraden · weore Botned a þousent, [bedraden] bedrede T; blereey|ȝed U. botned] botind T; aboute U.] Þat lyȝen for blynde · and for broke-legget [T omits. for broke-legget] brokelegged by þe hye weie U.] Line 180

Line 180 Vppon softe sonenday · bi þe heiȝe weye; [T omits; U omits part (see l. 180). sonenday] sonedaies H.] Hungur hem helede · wiþ an hot Cake. [hot] oten H; ote U.] ¶ Lome mennes limes · weore lyþet þat tyme, [Lome] And lame THU. lyþet] liþnid T; liþed HU.] Line 183 And bi-come knaues · to kepe pers beestes, And preyeden for Charite · with pers for to dwelle, [for] hym for U; pur T. pers] hym U.] [Al] for Couetyse of his corn · to caste a-wey hunger. [[Al THU] V has And, re|peated from 184, 185. caste] chase TU.] ¶ Pers was proud þer-of · And put hem in offys, [Pers] & pieris THU. þer-of] þerfore H.] Line 187 And ȝaf hem mete and moneye · as þei mihte deseruen. [deseruen] asserue TU.] ¶ Þenne hedde peers pite · and preiede hunger to wende Hom to his oune hurde · And holden him þer for euere. [Hom to] Hom into TU; into H. hurde] erþe TH; ȝerde U. for] TU om.] ¶ "And ȝit I preye þe," quod pers · "er þou passe henne, [And ȝit] Ac ȝet T; but H. henne] ferþere THU.] Of Bidders and of beggers · what is best to done? [bidders—beggers] beggeris & bidderis T; beggeres and of bydderis U; bedreden & beggeris H. is best] best is T.] Line 192 I wot wel whon þou art I-went · þei wol worchen ful ille; [I—I-went] For I wot wel, be þou ywent T; I woot, be þou went H; For I wot wel by ȝe went U. ful] TU om.] And Mischef hit makeþ · þei beoþ so meke nouþe, [And] TU om. And—makeþ] þy-self makiþ it iwis H. þei] hym T.] And for de-faute of foode · þus faste þei worchen; And heo beoþ my blodi breþeren · for god bouȝte vs alle. [And—breþeren] þei beþ myne breþeren of one blood H. heo beoþ] it ben TU. bouȝte] made H.] Treuþe tauhte me ones · to louen hem vchone, Line 197 And helpen hem of alle þyng · aftur þat hem neodeþ. [aftur—hem] þat hem of T; what þat hem U.] ¶ Ȝit wolde I witen ȝif þou wustest · what were þe beste, [ȝit—I] now wolde I HU; I wolde T. wustest] wistest THU.] And hou I mihte A-Maystren hem · and maken hem to worche." [And] H om.] Line 200

Line 200

"HEre nou," quod hunger · "and holde hit for wisdam, [for] for a THU.] Bolde Bidders and Beggers · þat mowen her mete bi|swinke, [bidders—beggers] beggeris & bigge TU. mete] breed T. biswinke] swynke U.] With houndes bred and horse bred · hold vp heor hertes, [houndes bred] houndes U. hold—hertes] holde þow here mawes H.] And Bamme hem with bones · for bollyng of heore wombes; [And bamme] And bane TU; a-bane H. bones] benys U. bollyng] bollnynge TH; swellynge U.] Line 204 And ȝif þe gomes grucchen · bidde hem go swynke, [And—þe] ȝif eny H. gomes] gromes THU.] And þei schule soupe þe swettore · whon þei han hit deseruet. [þe] T om. swettore] betere U. han hit] it haþ T; haue H; it han U.] And ȝif þou fyndest eny Freik · þat fortune haþ a-peiret [fyndest] fynde THU.] With fuir, or with fals folk · fonde suche to knowe; [fuir] fure H; fyre U. folk] men THU. to] T om.; forto H; men to U.] Cumforte hem with þi Catel · for cristes loue of heuene, Loue hem, and lene hem · so þe lawe of kuynde wole. [lene] lone U. so þe] & so þe T; for so H; for so þe U. wole] wolde TU.] And alle manere of Men · þat þou mayȝt aspye, [of] H om. mayȝt] miȝte TH.] Line 211 Þat neodi ben, or naket · and nouȝt haue to spende, [neodi—or] ben nedy & H. nouȝt haue] naue not H.] With Mete or with Moneye · mak hem fare þe betere, [folio 399b:1] [or—moneye] or mone T. mak] lete H. mak—betere] let make hem at ese T.] Or with word or with Werk · while þat þou art here. [TU omit. H has, wiþ werke oþer wiþ wordis · whils þou art here.] Mak þe Frendes þer-with · for so Seint Matheu techeþ,

Facite vobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis."

[H puts the Lat. quotation before this line. mak þe] And make þe T; lat make þi U. þerwith] þermiþ T; þermyde U. seint—techeþ] matheu vs techiþ TU; seiþ þe gospel H.] ¶ "I wolde not greue god," quod pers · "for al þe gold on ground; [211—216. These lines are in U made into only four lines, with omissions and false arrangements.] [TU here corruptly arranged. greue] wraþþe H. gold—ground] good on erþe H. on] on þis T.] Line 216

Line 216 Miht I sunneles don as þou seist?" · seide pers þenne. [Miht] May U. I—don] y do synles H.] ¶ "Ȝe, I be-hote þe," quod hunger · "or elles þe Bible lyȝeþ; [be-hote þe] hote þe T; hote god U. Bible] book H.] Go to Genesis þe Ieaunt · engendrure of vs alle; [Go to] So in TU; V has Go to þe; so seiþ H. Ieaunt] geaunt TU; gent H. engendrure] gendrer H.] In Sudore and swynk · þou schalt þi mete tilie, [sudore—swynk] sudore &c., & swynke T; sudore uultus tui swynke U; sweting & swinking H. tilie] begins next line in TU] Line 220 And labre for þi lyflode' · for so vr lord hiȝte. [219—221. H arranges in the order 220, 221, 219.] , [hiȝte] biddith UH.] ¶ And Sapiens seiþ þe same · I saih hit in þe Bible; [H omits. saih] saiȝ T; seie U.] 'Piger propter frigus · no feld nolde he tilie, [he] TU om. no—tilie] arare noluit H; no feld wolde tilie TU.] He schal go bidde and begge · and no mon beete his hunger.' [He—go] þerfore he shal H. bidde—begge] begge and bidde U. beete] bete TU.] Line 224 ¶ Matheu þe Monnes face · he Mommeþ þeose wordes, [þe] wiþ þe T. he mommeþ] mowþed H; nempniþ T. he—wordes] mouthith vs þe same U.] 'Seruus nequam hedde npnam · and for he nolde hit vsen, [H reads, Serue nequam, scie|bas quia, &c. þe wicked seruaunt made a couenaunt, & for he nolde it vse. npnam] a nam TU.] He hedde Maugre of his Maister · euere more aftur;

Auferte ab illo mnam, & date illi, &c.]

[maugre] a maugre T. euere] for euere T. aftur] þeraftir UH. The Latin is in H only.] ¶ He bi-nom him his npnam · for he nolde not worche, [He bi-nom] And benom TU; & byraft H. npnam] nam TU; besaunt H. not] TU om.] And ȝaf hit him in haste · þat hedde ten bi-fore; [U omits. hit] T om. ten] ten þere T.] Line 229 And seþþen he þus seide · his seruauns hit herden, [þus] THU om. seide] seide hym to þat H. seruauns—herden] seruaunt it hadde T. After this line H has Omni habenti dabitur.] ¶ He þat haþ schal haue · to helpe þer neod is, [neod is] it nediþ H.] And he þat nouȝt haþ, nouȝt schal haue · ne no mon him helpe; [nouȝt schal] shal nouȝt TU. no mon] none shal H.] Line 232

Line 232 And he þat hopeþ forte haue · hit him beo bi-reuet.' [And þat he (he þat H) weniþ wel to haue · I wile it be hym bereuid THU.] For kuynde wit Wolde · þat vche mon wrouhte [For] THU omit. mon] wiȝt T. vche mon] euery man for his fode U.] Wiþ techinge or with tilynge · or trauaylynge of hondes, [U omits. Wiþ] oþer wiþ TH. or—tilynge] oþer tellinge T. trauay|lynge] wiþ trauel H.] Actyf lyf or Contemplatyf · Crist wolde hit alse. [Crist] so crist H. hit alse] it were H; it were so U.] Line 236 For so seiþ þe Sauter · In Psalm of beati omnes,

[Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis, &c.]

[For—In] The sauter seiþ in þe T; þe sauter seith it in a U; H reads, as þe sauter hymself seiþ in a psalme. The Latin is from TH; also in U, which adds, beatus es, & bene tibi erit.] ¶ He þat get his fode her · with trauaylinge in Treuþe, [get] getiþ HU. trauaylinge—Treuþe] trauaile of his hondis THU.] God ȝiueþ him his blessyng · þat his lyflode so swynkeþ." [him] T om. his lyflode] here liflode here T; so his lyuelood H. so swynkeþ] so wynneþ TU; wynneþ H.]

"Yit I preye þe," quod pers · "par Charite, ȝif þou Conne [þe] U om. Conne] canst H; cunne U; kenne T.] Line 240 Eny lyf of leche Craft · lere hit me, my deore. [lyf] life T; leef U; lessoun H. lere] lerne H; teche U. hit] H om. my] H om.] For summe of my seruauns · beoþ seke oþer-while, [oþer-while] som tyme U.] Of alle þe wike heo Worcheþ not · so heor wombe akeþ." [wike] wyke T; weke H; wowke U. heo] T om.; þei HU.] ¶ "I wot wel," quod Hungur · "What seknesse hem eileþ, Line 244 Þei han I-Maunget ouur muche · þat makeþ hem grone ofte. [I-maunget] mangid THU. muche] mykil U. hem] U om. grone ofte] oft grone H.] ¶ Ac Ich hote þe," quod Hungur · "and þou þin hele wylne, [hote] bidde U. and] as TU; ȝef H. wylne] wilnest TH; desirest U.] Þat þou drynke no dai · til þou haue dynet sumwhat; [til] er T. haue—sumwhat] dyne sumwhat TU; haue ydyned H.] ¶ Ete not, Ich hote þe · til hunger þe take, [Ete not] And ete nouȝt T; And noght U. hote] bidde U. til] er TU.] Line 248 And sende þe sum of his sauce · to sauer þe þe betere; [þe] U om. sum] THU om. þe þe betere] þi lippes TH; wiþ þi lippes U.]

Keep sum til soper tyme · And [sit] þou not to Longe, [Keep] And kep THU. sum] som-what U. [sit TU] V and H have faste, which is clearly wrong. þou] THU om. to] U om.] A-Rys vp ar appetyt · habbe I-ȝeten his Fulle. [vp] U om. habbe I-ȝeten] haþ eten T; haue eten HU. Fulle] fille THU.] ¶ Let not sir Surfet · sitten at þi Bord; Line 252 Loue him not, for he is a lechour · and likerous of Tonge, [Loue] Leue TU.] And aftur mony Metes · his Mawe is a-longet. [mony] many maner of T; many maner U. a-longet] alongid TU is a-longet] H om.] And ȝif þou diȝete þe þus · I dar legge boþe myn Eres, [diȝete] diete U; vsest H. legge—Eres] ley myn armes T; leye my lyf H; leyn myn eres U.] Þat Fisyk schal his Forred hod · for his [foode] sulle, [[foode THU] V has lyflode, which spoils the metre; see l. 259.] And eke his cloke of Calabre · with knappes of Gold, [his—of] his cloke wiþ T; his clokis of H; þe clokis of U. with knappes] & þe knoppis TU; & his coppis H.] And beo Fayn, be my Feiþ · his Fisyk to lete, [U om. Fayn—my] ful fayn in H.] Line 258 And leorne to labre wiþ lond · leste lyflode Faile; [lond] hondes U. lyflode] liflode hym TU; his lyuelode H.] Þer beoþ mo lyȝers þen leches · vr lord hem amende! [beoþ—lyȝers] arn mo liȝeris TU; ne beþ non more losels H. vr lord] oure lord H; lord T; god U.] Þei don men dyȝen þoruȝ heor drinke · er destenye wolde." [þoruȝ] with U. drinke] drynkes T. wolde] it wolde TU.]

"BI seint Poul!" quod pers · "þeos beoþ prophitable wordes! [Poul] pernel TH. pers] perkyn U. beoþ] arn TU.] Line 262 Þis is a loueli lesson · vr lord hit þe for-ȝelde! [vr lord] lord T; crist U. hit] H om.] Wend nou whon þi wille is · Wel þe beo for euere!" [nou] H om. wel—beo] þat wel be þou T; þat wel be þe U. for] THU om.] "I beo-hote þe," quod hungur · "heonnes nul I wende [beo-hote] hote U. þe] god T.] Er I haue I-dynet bi þis day · and I-dronke boþe." ¶ "I haue no peny," quod pers · "Poletes to bugge, [I haue] & y naue H. peny] penyes U. Poletes] pulettis T; pultys U. to] with to U.] Nouþer gees ne grys · bote twey grene cheeses, Line 268 And a fewe Cruddes and Craym · and a þerf Cake, [And] T om. a—Cake] non oþer cake T; an hauir cake U; two hauere cakis H.]

And a lof of Benes and Bren · I-Bake for my Children. [And] T om. And—Bren] al of benys & of bran H.] ¶ And I sigge, bi my soule · I haue no salt Bacon, [And] And ȝit U. haue] naue H.] Ne no Cokeneyes, bi Crist · Colopus to maken. [cokeneyes] cokenay T; cokeney U. colopus] colopis T; colhoppis H; colopes with U.] Line 272 ¶ Bot I haue porettes and percyl · and moni Col|plontes [porettes—percyl] persile & poret T; persil, porrette U; persely & poretis H. col-] cole- T; caul- H.] And eke a Cou, and a Calf · and a Cart-Mare [eke] H om.] To drawe a-feld my donge · Whil þe drouhþe lasteþ. [afeld my] on feld my T; on felde U; a-feld þe H.] ¶ Bi þis lyflode I mot lyuen · til lammasse tyme; [mot] most H.] Line 276 Bi þat, Ich hope forte haue · heruest in my Croft; Þenne may I dihte þi dyner · as þe deore lykeþ." [276—278. U omits.] , [þenne] And þanne T.] ¶ Al þe pore peple · pese-coddes fetten, [fetten] þei fetten HU.] Bake Benes in Bred · þei brouhten in heor lappes, [H reads, benys & bacoun wiþ hem þei brouȝten. Bake—bred] Benes & blake (sic) applis T; Benys and baken apples U. lappes] lappe T.] Line 280 Chibolles, Cheef mete · and ripe chiries monye, [Inserted by H after 284. Chibolles] chibollis T; chibols H; chybolys U. Cheef mete] & chirinellis T; chernelys U; chesteyns H. ripe] riche T. monye] also H.] And proferde pers þis present · to plese with hungur. [proferde] offriden H. þis] a T. with] þerewiþ TU.] ¶ Honger eet þis in haste · and asked aftur more. [Honger] And hungir T. eet þis] hente þis T; eet hit H; ete al þis U.] Þenne þis folk for fere · fetten him monye [þenne þis] & þe H. fere] ferd H.] Line 284 Poretes, and Peosen · for þei him plese wolden; [T omits. H reads, Poretis & peris · applis & plowmes; U reads, Grene porret and pesen · to poysen him þei þouȝte.] From þat tyme þat þulke weore eten · take he schulde his leue [THU omit.] Til hit to heruest hiȝede · þat newe corn com to chep|ynge. [Be þat it neiȝide ner herues · newe corn com to chepynge (towne U) TU; by þat it neiȝed heruest, þat newe corn riped H.] Line 287

Line 287

ÞEnne was þat folk fayn · and tedde hunger ȝeorne [was] were H. þat] THU omit. ȝeorne] with þe beste TU; fast H.] With good Ale, and glotonye · and gart him to slepe. [and gart] he gart T; & made H; þei dyden U.] And þo nolde þe wastor worche · but wandren aboute, [wolde—wastor] nolde wastour not T; wolde wastour not H; wolde no wastours U. wandren] wandrite T; wandriden U; wandrid H.] Ne no Beggere eten Bred · þat Benes Inne coome, [Beggere] lengere U. eten] ete no U. Inne coome] comen ynne U.] Bote Coket and Cler Matin · an of clene whete; [folio 399b:2] [and] or TU. an] or TU; & H.] Line 292 Ne non halfpeny Ale · In none wyse drynke, [H omits.] , [none] no T.] Bote of þe Beste and þe Brouneste · þat Brewesters sullen. [H omits.] , [and þe] and of U.] ¶ Laborers þat haue no lond · to liuen on Bote heore honden, [haue] hadde U. to—honden] but lyue on here handis T; but lyue by hemsilue H; to lyue by but here handes U.] Deyne not to dyne a day · niht-olde wortes. [Deyne] Deyneþ T; Deygned U. not] H om. dyne—day] dynen wiþ U.] Line 296 Mai no peny Ale hem paye · ne no pece of Bacun, Bote hit weore Fresch Flesch · or elles Fisch I-Friȝet, [hit weore] ȝif it be T; it be UH. Fresch] rostid U. elles] T om.; fresch H.] Boþe chaud and pluschaud · for chele of heore Mawe. [Boþe] And TU. chele] chil|lyng THU. heore mawe] his mawe T; here mawes H; here chekys U.] ¶ Bote he beo heihliche I-huret · elles wol he chide, [H reads, but þei be hiȝely y-huyred, ellis wollen þei chide. he] ȝif he T. heihliche] lyliche U (wrong).] Þat he was werkmon I-wrouȝt · warie þe tyme, [he was] þei were H. Iwrouȝt] bycome H.] Line 301 And Corse ȝerne þe kyng · and al his Counseil aftur, [Corse ȝerne] þanne curse T; curse H. his] þe T.] Suche lawes to loke · laborers to chaste. [chaste] chastise T.] ¶ Ac while hunger was Mayster heer · wolde þer non chyde, [301—304. U omits.] , [mayster heer] here maister T þer non] þei not H.] Line 304 Ne striue aȝeyn þe statues · so steorneliche he lokede. [statues] statut T; statutes UH. U reads, And stryue aȝens þe statutes · and sternely loken.]

¶ I warne ȝou, alle werk-men · winneþ while ȝe mowe, [alle] THU omit. winneþ] wercheþ H.] Hunger hiderward aȝeyn · hiȝeþ him ȝeorne. [Hunger] For hungir THU. aȝeyn] THU om. hiȝeþ—ȝeorne] hastiþ hym faste T; hastiþ ful fast H; hyeth hym faste U.] Line 307 ¶ He wole a-wake þorw watur · þe wastours alle, [wole—watur] shal awake þis water T; wol wade þurȝ watris H; schal awake ȝour wele U. þe] his U; TH om. alle] to chaste THU.] Er Fyue ȝer ben folfult · such Famyn schal a-Ryse [fyue] fewe H. schal] wol H.] Þorw Flodes and foul weder · Fruites schul fayle; [flodes] flood T; tempestes U. and] oþer þoruȝ T. weder] wederis TU. fruites] flodis U. fayle] falle TU.] And so seiþ [Saturne] · and sent vs to warne. [[Saturne] satourne T; saturne HU; V has Saturnes. sent vs] sente ȝow T; sende ȝow H; sendith ȝow U.] Line 311